She hated fearing for her life in her own home, but such was her lot. She would always be threatened by someone. She couldn’t believe her naivety. She’d brought him into her home, and he was here to kill her. She was lucky he couldn’t brave the weather, or she’d be dead.
Pierre turned back to the table. Missy jumped off the chair and raced out of the room. He looked at his plate and then at Isa.
She gave him a half-smile. “You know you can’t leave a plate full of food alone when she’s in the room.”
He rolled his eyes, snatched up the plate, and headed for the kitchens.
Isa wanted to laugh, to pretend like this was all she had to worry about, but a sinking feeling settled in her stomach.
She’d always known the rebels sought her life, but now it was real, and they’d sent someone right into her castle. She had to get answers out of him. But keeping him starved and cold was not the way to go about it.
Chapter 5
Grace found Isa and Pierre arguing in front of the door to the dungeons. This was a new situation, and she didn’t know how Isa would react. She never reacted well to being told what to do. But she’d also never been threatened in her own home.
Pierre was listening to Isa, but his eyes were on Missy, who wound her way in and out of Isa’s ankles.
Isa reached out and grabbed Grace’s hand and pulled her closer. “Lady Grace will bring food and blankets to him and make sure he’s comfortable.”
Grace nearly shook her head. She had hoped to find Isa on her own and see how everything was going, but now she might have to attend to this dangerous prisoner when Isa could have the guardians do it.
Isa’s face might have revealed nothing to Pierre, but Grace could see the worry lining her eyes and the slight downturn of her lips that usually came when she was confused. She was obviously concerned about the prisoner but unsure of his motives.
Pierre sighed. “That’s not necessary, Your Majesty. We can take care of him. Or Benjamin. The dungeons are no place for a lady.”
Isa gripped Grace’s hand harder. “I insist. Men often misjudge the needs of a person, and Lady Grace will ensure he is well enough. I also will trust her reports that he is being cared for. I know you mean well, Pierre, but you took him away in the middle of the night against my wishes. I will have Lady Grace down there unless you want me to personally deliver his food myself.”
Pierre gave a slight bow. “Whatever you wish, Your Majesty.”
Grace didn’t like this. Not one bit. But she had to do it, or Isa would do it herself, and if Isa did it herself, she could die. Grace certainly didn’t want to die either, but she knew that would be her fate one day. She was raised to kill someone. She figured that someone was probably Isa, but until she understood her place, she wouldn’t jump to conclusions, and she would keep Isa safe. The prophecy foretold of her killing someone she loved, but that someone might not be Isa.
Pierre walked away to talk with Jude, and Isa hissed into her ear. “I want to know everything that is going on down there. Find excuses to bring him things. Blankets, pillows, snacks, whatever. Listen to their conversations. I don’t think they are telling me everything, and I want to know why Liam is here.”
Isa straightened up and spoke in a slightly louder voice. “It’s breakfast time. Lady Grace, you’ll bring food to our prisoner?”
Grace gave a curtsey. “Right away, Your Majesty.”
She hustled away from Isa, her mind racing. She didn’t want to go into that dungeon. She’d never been there before.
Grace went to the kitchens and grabbed a plate from the shelf, glad Olga hadn’t cleaned up. She dished up hash browns, eggs, and sausages and found a few other things. Then she took a deep breath. She could do this.
Halfway down the hall, footsteps rushed behind her. She stopped and turned. Pierre caught up to her, out of breath. “Lady, I wanted to catch you before you returned.”
Grace groaned inwardly. She’d never really liked Pierre. He always looked past her like she wasn’t there. “How can I help you?” she asked.
“You wish for the queen to be safe, yes?”
Grace nodded.
“Then you must, uh, bend the truth a little about the prisoner. Our primary goal is to make sure the queen is safe, and that man is dangerous. We need answers out of him, and if he is comfortable, he will never give us those answers. Just tell the queen all is well no matter what you find. Keep your time there short and be cautious and wary. Whatever you do, don’t speak to him.”
Grace jerked her head up. That was a strange request.
“Why not?”
He gave her a hard glare. “Because I told you not to. Don’t question me. Do you understand?”
Grace clenched her fingers tighter on the plate. “Yes, sir.”
She’d never been one to rebel, but she certainly wouldn’t listen to him over her queen. What exactly was Pierre afraid she’d find out?
Chapter 6
Sid picked up his phone and looked at the date. It’d been three days since Liam disappeared. Three days that he was in constant danger. Sid didn’t want that three days to turn into forever.
Aspen slid a hand down Sid’s chest and brought her lips to his ear. He shivered and set down his phone. They had a houseful of people sitting in the kitchen. She should know better, but then again, she never let it stop her before.
“I want to go see the babies,” she said.
That was not what he expected to come out of her mouth.
He grabbed her hand. “We can’t. We need to stay here in case word comes on Liam.”
She slumped in the chair next to him and pouted. “Please. I need something to take my mind off all this. I can’t stop thinking about the danger he’s in.”
“Play with Skye’s kids.” He nodded to the window. Yesterday, he had a massive playground installed so they would stop tearing up his house. Six of the ten were out there playing. Though he wasn’t sure how long it would last with two of them constantly turning into dragons and fighting. As soon as one let out a flame, the playground would be toast.
“Do you think he’s okay?” Aspen asked, dropping her eyes. Sid could feel the worry pouring off of her. Or maybe that was his own. It was hard to tell.
“Of course Liam’s okay. We’d know if something bad happened.” They wouldn’t, but he wanted to say those words. He didn’t know what he would do if something happened to his son.
“I just want him to come home.” She folded in on herself a little.
They’d had this exact same conversation at least forty times in the last few days, but he’d keep reassuring her even if he wasn’t sure himself.
“He’ll be home before you know it, crowing about his accomplishments.” Sid was so proud of the man his son had become, even if he was a little cocky sometimes. He just prayed he was right this time.
Aspen gave a small grin. “I hope so.” She stood and paced in front of the windows. “But we need to do something. Go somewhere.”
Sid wrapped his arms around her from behind, and she laid her head on his chest.
“We can’t. We have to stay here and wait for news.”
“Ugh, I hate waiting. You know, the last time I was this worried, Rowan was missing.”
“And look at how that turned out.” Liam was more resourceful than Rowan was at that age. He’d make it. He had to.
Aspen chuckled and spun around. It was good to see her smile. “If he comes home with a beautiful bride, we’re in more trouble than we thought.”
“Ten grandkids would be nice though.” He couldn’t believe he was having those thoughts. His son was eighteen for crying out loud. He supposed with the possibility of losing him forever, he suddenly thought far into the future.
Aspen turned back to the window and watched two small blue dragons squabbling in the air. “Are you sure? Didn’t you tell me you had that thing built to keep them outside?”
“Truth.” Sid chuckled.
He enjoyed this lighthearte
d banter with her. This was what life was normally like, but it had taken a dark tinge the moment Liam disappeared. His heart clenched. Sid wanted to believe he’d be okay.
But he knew that was not how this would likely play out.
Jens entered the kitchen and gave him a stiff nod. He poured himself a cup of coffee. Sid hadn’t talked with him much, but that was mainly because he’d been so preoccupied with Liam. Aspen slipped away from Sid and stood next to Jens. They chatted about something, but Sid couldn’t hear the conversation. Aspen was always better with guests than he was.
The door burst open, and a gust of cool spring air rushed in. Trinity and Gabe stomped inside, arguing. Skye raced into the room and intervened. It actually made things louder.
Sid ignored them and thought about the problem at hand. All the reports he’d had from Jens said that the queen killed first and asked questions later. He needed more information about her. Once Liam was rescued, they would have to take action.
But what would be the appropriate course?
He chewed on his bottom lip. Jens spoke of villages of dragons in Europe. He wanted to visit one and talk to the people, but he couldn’t leave now. He had to stay here and wait for word of Liam.
But he could send someone else. Someone less threatening who people would open up to.
“Hey, Skye, how would you like to go to Europe?” He grinned at her. She was always up for a trip anywhere.
Chapter 7
Liam blinked his eyes open. Every part of his body hurt, but he didn’t know why. His teeth chattered, and he sat up, and his eyes adjusted to the dim light. The room was tiny and cold with damp stone walls and bars. He’d managed to land himself in prison. A few torches were all that lit the area. Had this place never heard of electricity?
And to think that he was starting to doubt that the queen was evil. He stood and stretched. His body was a little sore, but otherwise, he felt fine. He wore strange clothes and soft leather boots.
He cracked his neck. He had to escape and go home and tell his dad everything he’d learned. Which wasn’t much. He’d met the queen and a few of her guards. It would be enough to call this mission a success. Well, not really, but he couldn’t stay here.
He briefly remembered being awakened in the night and dragged down here. They’d asked him all kinds of questions, but he refused to answer any of them. If he was going to stay alive, he had to keep his mouth shut.
He walked the length of the cell. It was about ten feet long and twelve feet deep. He rubbed his hands together and blew on them, but it didn’t do any good. They still had little to no feeling.
He gripped the icy bars. They weren’t going anywhere.
Think, Liam, think.
Felix had taught him well, but he’d never taught him what to do if he landed in prison and had his weapons stripped. Though, Felix probably never landed himself in prison.
No. Felix was dead. Killed by these bastards.
Liam paced back and forth, if for nothing else but to try and get warm. He studied the bars. He wasn’t sure what they were made of, but he could probably melt them as a dragon. The question was: would he fit?
Only one way to find out.
He stood in the middle of the cell and concentrated on his dragon form.
Nothing. His hands were still human and shaking.
He’d never not been able to shift before. It had always been second nature to him. Did the queen have magic? Well, of course she did, but could she take away his ability to shift?
Ugh. This was impossible. He’d never get out of here. He sank down onto the bench. He should’ve listened to his parents. If he ever saw them again, he would tell them he was sorry and that they were right.
He grinned. His mom would never let him live that down.
He shivered and wondered if he would freeze to death down here. He suddenly missed his pampered life. He knew that most people didn’t live in fancy houses and drive sports cars. He’d never had to fight for anything, and now he was fighting for his very life.
He’d have to talk his way out of this. So far, he’d basically been semi-conscious when he’d seen people. He didn’t remember talking at all, but maybe he’d had some half-delirious conversations.
He shook out his hands. He could play this in so many ways. He thought about all his training with Felix. He could pretend to be terrified, and when they let their guard down, attack and escape. But he didn’t know the castle or where he was.
He could be overly confident. It was always a risky move, but it usually worked with captures that involved multiple people because, eventually, his confidence would convince someone in the group to betray the others and help him escape. In a place where he didn’t know the lay of the land, this was the best option.
He shook out his hands.
At least, being cocky was something he’d mastered.
Chapter 8
Grace stood outside the dungeon’s doors with a steaming plate of potatoes, sausage, and eggs for the prisoner. She had a fork in her pocket. Nerves danced in her belly. She wasn’t sure how this would go.
Jude stood guard at the door. Of course, it would be him.
“I’m supposed to take this to the prisoner,” she said, not meeting his eyes. Instead, she stared at his black boots.
“Pierre said no one was allowed down there. I’ll take it myself.” Even his voice stirred the butterflies in her stomach. She could not let him distract her.
He held out his hands, and Grace took a step back. “I was told to bring it myself. The queen insisted.”
Jude dipped his head toward her. “Come on, Grace, you won’t want to go down there. It’s not a place for a lady.”
Grace ignored the shiver down her spine. Those were the exact words Pierre used. She tightened her grip on the plate.
“His food will get cold. I have orders from the queen, so unless you want to explain yourself to her, then you must let me go.”
Jude rolled his eyes. “Fine, but I’m coming with you.”
That wasn’t exactly what Isa wanted, but after they got used to Grace visiting the man, they’d let her go alone, and she could get the information Isa wanted.
Jude held the door open, and she slipped past him, trying not to notice how close he was to her. He smelled like the forest.
The stairs were slick, and she had to take care to not slip and drop the plate.
Jude pointed down a long hall. “He’s there.”
“Why so far?”
“Less chance of escape.”
The dungeons smelled like dead rats and piss. Grace had no idea there were places like this in the castle. She’d never ventured down here. They walked side by side, passing all the empty cells, Jude lighting the way with a torch.
Grace’s hands shook with the cold. It was freezing down here.
Jude stopped in front of the metal bars. The prisoner lay on a stone bench with nothing but a thin blanket. Well, listening to Isa wouldn’t be a problem. Grace would find lots of excuses to bring him things.
“You can put the food there.” Jude pointed to a cutout in the stone next to the metal bars. Grace dug out the fork and set it on the plate. Jude snatched it up. “You can’t give him any weapons.”
The man stood and sauntered over to the bars. “What am I going to do? Stab you with it? It’s a fork.”
Grace agreed, but she didn’t want to argue with Jude in front of him. Jude didn’t react at all. In fact, he barely acknowledged the prisoner.
The man stared at the food in Grace’s hands and licked his lips. She shoved the food in the stone cubby.
He took the plate and picked up a sausage with his fingers. Grace watched him with fascination. In spite of not having any utensils, he managed to not make a mess of himself. Where did he come from? Why was he here? What was his life like back home? She supposed he was good looking in a foreign sort of way. His skin was darker than theirs, but only just.
“I’ll make sure to bring you more finger-friendly foo
ds next time.” She placed her hands on the cold bars.
He rolled his eyes. “Or you can give me a fork.”
Jude gave a sharp shake of his head. “No forks. No knives. No spoons.”
This was ridiculous. This man couldn’t hurt anyone while in a cell. They didn’t even know that he was a bad guy yet. He deserved a little dignity. “What about a pillow or warmer blankets. Think he’ll hurt you with those as well?”
The prisoner chuckled and flashed a smile. “I like this girl. She thinks logically, unlike you imbeciles who left me here to freeze to death. A warmer blanket would be nice.”
She gave him a slight nod. “I’ll bring you one in a bit.”
“Thank you.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Jude’s fingers tightened on the pommel of his sword. “We can take care of him.”
Grace spun on him. “Obviously not.” Isa would be furious when she found out the state they were keeping him in.
The prisoner stuck his hand out of the bars, and both Jude and Grace jumped.
“I’m Liam.”
Grace didn’t take his hand but met his bright blue eyes. “I’m Grace.”
She stared at him for a few moments and then hustled away. She followed Jude out and up the stairs, wondering what this adventure would bring. Because it was an adventure. The first real one she’d ever had.
Chapter 9
Ruby looked at the quaint inn with a thatched roof and bright white exterior. She was thrilled when her mom asked her to accompany her on a quick trip to Scotland. She’d never been here before. And here they were in the small village of Buidseach.
The air was damp and heavy, but not any colder than Yellowstone or her home in Oregon. Everything was green, and flowers bloomed in window boxes.
Spread out behind the tiny village were fields as far as the eye could see. A few farmhouses had barns with cows and sheep, but mostly crops covered the fields.
The Dragon Kings Chronicles: Book 3 Page 2
